John Henry Holmes (1893–1965)

Private

Durham Light Infantry 104817 27th Battalion

Photo courtesy John Allsop

John Henry Holmes

Biography
John was born at Crich in about 1894, the son of George and Mary Holmes. He enlisted at Matlock in December 1915 aged twenty-two, a miner working for the Butterley Company. John married Mary Hayne in May 1917. He was discharged from the Durham Light Infantry suffering from hammer toes in March 1919 and was awarded the Silver War Badge.

Medal Roll Index Card
Enlisted 08/12/15. Discharged 29/03/19 Para 392 (xxv a) K.R

Silver War Badge
104817, John H Holmes, DLI, 462104, enlisted 8/12/15 discharged29/3/19, not served overseas, hammer toes

Army Service Record
He enlisted at Matlock 08/12/15, aged aged 22 years 1 month, a married miner working at Butterley Co. His address was 2 Old Vicarage, Crich. He was 5ft 7in tall and the next-of-kin was his wife Mary Holmes (née Haynes), whom he married in May 1919 at the parish church Pentrich. His religion was C of E. Transferred to the Reserve 08/10/18. Awarded the War Badge and Certificate. He suffered from hammer toes.

Newspaper Report

Ripley and Heanor News, 5 November 1965
RIPLEY MAN DIED ON BIRTHDAY
Mr John H Holmes
Crich-born Mr John Henry Holmes, who moved to Ripley only two years ago, passed away at his home at Victory Avenue, on Sunday, his 72nd birthday.
Mr Holmes who had lived at Lower Hartshay fo 50 years before moving to Ripley, was employed at Denby Hall Colliery prior to retirement, and had spent all his working life in the local collieries. His death followed a short illness.
A widow, one son and two daughters are bereaved. Creamation at Markeaton on Thursday was preceded by a service in Ripley Church.

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
George Holmes Head 41 General labourer Shottle
Mary Holmes wife 41   Cromford
Mary Ann Holmes daughter 17 Hosiery Machine hand Crich
William Holmes son 15 General labourer Crich
Bertha Holmes daughter 11   Crich
John Henry Holmes son 7   Crich
Hannah Ruth Holmes daughter 5 mo   Crich

RG13 piece 3231 folio 28 page 2

1911: Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Mary Holmes wife (married) 51   Middleton
Bertha Holmes daughter 21 Cotton factory hand Crich
John Henry Holmes son 17 Limestone stone getter Crich
Hannah Ruth Holmes daughter 10 School Crich

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1939 Register: Lower Hartsay, Ripley
John H Holmes b.31 October 1893; colliery banksman
Hannah Holmes b.24 November 1894
Winnifred Allsop (Walters, Holmes) b.14 August 1918; making up spools
two closed records